Toy telephone



Nov. 3, 1936. w. J. PFLAUM 2,059,603

TOY TELEPHONE Filed Feb. 26, 1936 21/ PNV ENTOR Am .7 W

gWMW/m ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to toy telephones, and consists in a toy having capacity for speech transmission. Notice is given of my co-pending application Serial No. 75,920, filed April 23, 1936.

Many years ago it was discovered that a length of thread or wire strung between two diaphragms could be used for the transmission of speech over substantial distances. More particularly my invention consists in a specifically new and effective embodiment in a toy of this old discovery.

The toy include a base, a headpiece, and a standard on the base for supporting the headpiece when it is not in use. A bell or gong is mounted on the base, and mechanism responsive to a rotary signalling dial is adapted to sound the gong. Two diaphragms are embodied in the structure, and advantageously, although not necessarily, both diaphragms are incorporated in the head-piece in such manner as to admit of their ready interconnection, by means of thread or wire, for the purpose indicated. Additionally, invention lies in the particular organization of two diaphragms in a single head-piece, as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. I is a View in front elevation of the toy telephone.

Fig. II is a view in front elevation of one of the diaphragm members removed from the headpiece of the telephone.

Fig. III is a view in longitudinal section of the diaphragm member.

Fig. IV is a View in cross-section of the central body portion or handle of the head-piece, taken on the plane IV--IV of Fig. I.

Fig. V is a view to smaller scale of the two diphragm members removed from the head-piece, and interconnected by a taut thread or wire for speech transmission.

Fig. Va illustrates, in modification of the showing in Fig. V, the use of two head-pieces, that is, four diaphragm members, with a single transmitting thread or wire.

Fig. VI is a viewin plan of the base of the toy, taken on the plane VIVI of Fig. I.

Fig. VII is a view of the base in plan from below.

And Fig. VIII is a view of the base, taken on the plane VIII-VIII of Fig. VI, and showing the dial lifted from position. of assembly therewith.

The toy telephone includes a hollow base I, conveniently formed of sheet metal, cut and pressed to the shape illustrated. A standard 2, carrying at its upper end a cradle 3, is secured to the base, by means of a through-1901 4, affording support for a head-piece 5,

The toy structure includes two diaphragm members 6 interconnected by means of a flexible line of thread or wire I of a length equal to the distance over which it is desired to converse, and the two diaphragm members 6 are adapted to be moved apart (Fig. V) in such manner that the line 1 extends taut, or substantially so, between them. By speaking into one diphragm member, vibration is set up in the line 1 and mechanical Waves travel in the line to the opposite diaphragm member, which converts them to audible sound waves. Thus, the two-diaphragm members may be alternately employed as transmitters and receivers of sound waves, in such manner that two persons, standing more or less remotely from one another (depending on the length of line 1), may communicate by speech.

More particularly, each diaphragm member comprises two cup members 8 and 9 peripherally united, as shown in Fig. III, by means of a rolled bead H3. The central wall of cup member 8 is inclined toward a central opening or perforation I l, and the cup member 9, comprising a diaphragm element, is provided with meansin this case with a small hole lZ-for the mechanical connection thereto of one end of the line I. The line is simply passed through hole [2 and knotted, as shown in Fig. III. Conveniently, both cup members are fashioned of thin sheet steel, although it will be understood that other and unlike materials may be used, so long as the central web or body portion of cup 9 has capacity for vibration under the influence of sound waves.

Advantageously, both diaphragm members 6 are embodied in the head-piece 5 of the toy telephone, and at least one of them is removable from assembly with such head-piece. More specifically, the head-piece consists of a body portion or handle l3 normally resting in supporting cradle 3. At least one, and in this case both, of the diaphragm members 6 are provided with handle portions I4. Each handle portion is formed of a thin rod bent into U-shape intermediate its ends, and then the ends projecting beyond the U are curved into semicircles and secured, as shown in Fig. III, within the peripheral bead 10 that unites the cup members 8 and 9 of the diaphragm member. The main handle I3 of the head-piece is recessed at its opposite ends, to receive the handle portions M of the diaphragm members, and, conveniently, the main handle may comprise an open tube of sheet metal, as indicated in Fig. IV. Thus, the diaphragm members 6 are readily removable from handle l3, whereby they may be moved apart,

as shown in Fig. V, and for the purpose already described.

When the toy is not in use, the handle I3 is placed in cradle 3, with flexible line I wound upon it, as shown in Fig. I.

It will be perceived, therefore, that I have provided a toy telephone which in service may be used as two speech-transmitting and receiving instruments.

Alternately, the toy may be supplied in sets of two, and in such case the diaphragm members 6 need not be removable from assembly with the handle l3. The two diaphragms on each head-piece are mechanically interconnected for cooperation at one end of the flexible line I, and, as shown in Fig. Va, a simple Y connection 15 of thread or wire serves well. In such way two head-pieces, that is, four diaphragms 9, are interconnected. At each end of the line, one diaphragm member serves as the transmitter and the other as the receiver.

As is usual in toys of this general sort, I provide a dial l6 upon the base I. Within the base a gong I1 is mounted, and I provide mechanism for sounding the gong in response to dial rotation. The dial includes in circular arrangement ten finger-holes l9, and a disc 49, bearing numerals from to 9, is secured to the outer face of base I in such position that the numerals are visible through the finger-holes, as shown in Fig. VI. In known manner a star-wheel I8 is arranged to rotate in unison with the dial, and a striker arm 20, mounted upon a pivot pin 2| secured to the base I, carries two spacedapart fingers 22 that cooperate with the starwheel. The star-wheel and the finger-bearing arm 20 provide an escapement mechanism, well known to the art, and the rotation of the dial l6 and the accompanying rotation of the starwheel cause the arm 20 to oscillate, rapidly striking the rim of the gong 11 with its distal end. I have developed a particularly effective organization of the elements of this known combination, by virtue of which economy in manufacture and better operation are obtained.

Whereas the usual structures embody a rotary shaft for the rotary support of the star-wheel and dial, requiring bearing blocks and other refinements, I secure the star-wheel immediately to the inner face of the dial, and I mount these so integrated elements upon a simple pivot post 23, rigidly fixed to the wall of base I, as shown in Fig. VIII. Contrary to usual practice the gong I I is mounted in common with the standard 2, that is, upon one and the same bolt 4, and in this case the gong lies eccentrically of the bolt,

And, contrary to usual practice, the striker arm 2!] is arranged externally of the gong, and the escapement fingers 22 extend (note clearances 24 in Fig. VII) through the wall of the base I and disc 49, and into cooperative engagement with the star-wheel l8 lying immediately beneath the dial l6. Thus, the number of parts required are reduced to a minimum, assembly in manufacture is facilitated, and the permissive length of the striker arm is increased, whereby the usual weight at the distal end of the arm may be eliminated.

It will be obvious that various modifications 01 the specific structure shown may be made without departure from the invention defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A toy telephone structure including a base, a head-piece, and means for supporting said head-piece on the base, said head-piece including a handle and two diaphragms adapted to be mechanically interconnected by a flexible line, at least one of said diaphragm members being removable from assembly with said handle, whereby the two diaphragms may be moved apart to sustain said line for the mechanical transmission of sound-producing waves.

2. A toy telephone structure including a base, a head-piece, and means for supporting said head-piece on the base, said head-piece including a handle and two diaphragms adapted to be mechanically interconnected by a flexible line, at least one of said diaphragm members including a handle portion removably secured to the handle first mentioned.

3. A toy telephone structure including a base, a head-piece, and means for supporting said head-piece on the base, said head-piece including a handle and two diaphragms adapted to be mechanically interconnected by a flexible line, said diaphragms being severally provided with means for their removable assembly with said handle.

4. A toy telephone structure including a base, a head-piece, and means for normally supporting said head-piece on the base, said head-piece including two diaphragms mechanically interconnected and connected to a flexible line for the mechanical transmission and reception of soundproducing waves.

5. A toy telephone structure including a base, a head-piece, and means for normally supporting said head-piece on the base, said head-piece including two diaphragms Y-connected to a flexible line for the mechanical transmission and reception of sound-producing waves.

WILLIAM J. PFLAUM. 

